How many performance cores in base 14" MacBook Pro?

[jido]

That was my question.

Since both the 13" MacBook Pro and the base 14" MacBook Pro have a 8-core CPU, I was not sure if their performance would be same.

But the specs say that the 14-incher has two more performance cores so if you have a workload that will use them, it will perform better than the 13-incher. Of course there are many other benefits to the 14" model, like more GPU grunt, more ports, more external displays support, better screen and better sound. But you pay for it and it's nice to know that you also get a better CPU.

 

[leman]

Two more performance cores, yes.

 

[Boil]

The real improvement is the LPDDR5 RAM...

 

[kuzco77]

That was my question.

Since both the 13" MacBook Pro and the base 14" MacBook Pro have a 8-core CPU, I was not sure if their performance would be same.

But the specs say that the 14-incher has two more performance cores so if you have a workload that will use them, it will perform better than the 13-incher. Of course there are many other benefits to the 14" model, like more GPU grunt, more ports, more external displays support, better screen and better sound. But you pay for it and it's nice to know that you also get a better CPU.

Two more performance cores, yes.

Where do you guy read that? Does it list in Apple site?

 

[thingstoponder]

What else could it be? Are you hoping the two efficiency cores are disabled and all 8 performance cores are enabled? That seems extremely unlikely.

 

[jido]

Where do you guy read that? Does it list in Apple site?

Yes:

MacBook Pro - Tech Specs

See all the technical specifications for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips.

www.apple.com

 

[leman]

Where do you guy read that? Does it list in Apple site?

It does, in specs.

 

[matram]

Given that the 13” being replaced had a 4-core 2.0 GHz Intel i5 I think the 14” will outperform the old model even with only 6 performance cores.

 

[twinpeaks_sf]

It’s interesting. I was just in the Apple Store to take a look at the new MacBook Pro. The 8-core model, when looking in Activity Monitor, shows 8 individual cores, but they’re unlabeled. The 10-core model has labeled the 2 efficiency cores and the 8 performance cores, like with the M1 systems.

While it’s likely 2 performance cores are disabled/duds with the 8-core model, I suppose it’s possible that one or two of the efficiency cores are disabled instead, explaining the lack of labeling.

 

[twinpeaks_sf]

But I’m clearly contradicted by the tech specs listed on Apple’s website, which state that the 8-core CPU has 6 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores. I wonder why Activity Monitor doesn’t label the cores.

 

[Suxamethonium]

The cores on my 10-core are labelled in activity monitor.

2 Efficiency (Cores 1 & 2), 8 performance (3 - 10)

 

[kp98077]

so would the 10 core model for $2499 (14") be worth the upgrade over the base? normal business usage...

 

[leman]

Given that the 13” being replaced had a 4-core 2.0 GHz Intel i5 I think the 14” will outperform the old model even with only 6 performance cores.

Well, that Intel model was already hopelessly outperformed by the base M1, so yeah... the base 14" will be probably twice as fast for most things.

so would the 10 core model for $2499 (14") be worth the upgrade over the base? normal business usage...

Unlikely.

 

[bill-p]

so would the 10 core model for $2499 (14") be worth the upgrade over the base? normal business usage...

I don't think so. For normal office usage, I haven't noticed much of a difference between 14" M1 Pro w/ 8 P-cores vs 13" M1 w/ 4 P-cores. Even the M1 is already kind of overkill for this usage.

Only get the 10-core model if you know for sure that:

1. Something you use somewhat frequently needs the extra CPU horsepower (for my case, it's photo editing and panorama stitching)
2. Something you use somewhat frequently needs the extra GPU horsepower (for my case, it's Fusion 360)
3. You're okay with slightly more fan noise and reduced battery run time in exchange for the extra performance
4. You can afford the extra cost and won't regret not having gone with 32GB RAM and 2TB storage at the same price point with the base model chip
5. There's not much of a choice since only base models are available at the time of purchase.

 

[kp98077]

I don't think so. For normal office usage, I haven't noticed much of a difference between 14" M1 Pro w/ 8 P-cores vs 13" M1 w/ 4 P-cores. Even the M1 is already kind of overkill for this usage.

Only get the 10-core model if you know for sure that:

1. Something you use somewhat frequently needs the extra CPU horsepower (for my case, it's photo editing and panorama stitching)
2. Something you use somewhat frequently needs the extra GPU horsepower (for my case, it's Fusion 360)
3. You're okay with slightly more fan noise and reduced battery run time in exchange for the extra performance
4. You can afford the extra cost and won't regret not having gone with 32GB RAM and 2TB storage at the same price point with the base model chip
5. There's not much of a choice since only base models are available at the time of purchase.

good points!

 

[Jorbanead]

so would the 10 core model for $2499 (14") be worth the upgrade over the base? normal business usage...

For normal office usage the MBP in general is overkill. The M1 air is plenty capable - but of course I understand if you’re wanting to upgrade for other reasons like webcam, screen, ports, etc.

 

[Technerd108]

I was just going to say the MBP 14" is way overkill for office usage. There are a lot of other reasons to like the MBP 14" other than just performance but the weight is a real issue. If you don't need the power the regular M1 based Macs are even overkill for office use but are much more affordable and portable.

To your question if the $2499 model is worth the upgrade I would say in your case NO. You get 6 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores more ram bandwidth and more GPU cores that the standard M1 in the base Pro which should still make it about 50% faster-maybe more in some tasks and less in others-which the standard M1 is already leaps ahead of thin and light devices currently on the market.

 

[kp98077]

I was just going to say the MBP 14" is way overkill for office usage. There are a lot of other reasons to like the MBP 14" other than just performance but the weight is a real issue. If you don't need the power the regular M1 based Macs are even overkill for office use but are much more affordable and portable.

To your question if the $2499 model is worth the upgrade I would say in your case NO. You get 6 performance cores and 2 efficiency cores more ram bandwidth and more GPU cores that the standard M1 in the base Pro which should still make it about 50% faster-maybe more in some tasks and less in others-which the standard M1 is already leaps ahead of thin and light devices currently on the market.

LOL - overkill for office usage? I don't think a 16" is overkill for anyones office usage to be honest... especially when the machine makes money - plenty of doctors, lawyers, architects, etc use these in offices..... not sure why everyone keeps thinking these are for either artist, music producers, and the like...

 

[Suxamethonium]

LOL - overkill for office usage? I don't think a 16" is overkill for anyones office usage to be honest... especially when the machine makes money - plenty of doctors, lawyers, architects, etc use these in offices..... not sure why everyone keeps thinking these are for either artist, music producers, and the like...

Exactly right.

A big screen and a fast processor are useful, the 14" is a nice blend for me because it is portable enough to take between the public hospital and private rooms but has a big enough screen to comfortably do a whole days consulting. The 1080p webcam is great for Telehealth consultations and the extra processing power is useful for the statistics and machine learning work I do in my research role. I had a 13" Air that I have handed down to my wife and really the slight loss in portability and battery life is more than offset by the screen, webcam and extra processing power.

Plus the battery life is enough that I don't need to bring a charger to the rooms for cdonsulting, can just keep my charger in my office.

I guess in many ways the pro-artist workflow is the sexy one that makes for great video clips and creates the desirability factor for people who do those things as a hobby (mine certainly gets used in photo post processing as well as a hobby), but lots of other professions will be using these laptops to make money.

 

[kp98077]

Exactly right.

A big screen and a fast processor are useful, the 14" is a nice blend for me because it is portable enough to take between the public hospital and private rooms but has a big enough screen to comfortably do a whole days consulting. The 1080p webcam is great for Telehealth consultations and the extra processing power is useful for the statistics and machine learning work I do in my research role. I had a 13" Air that I have handed down to my wife and really the slight loss in portability and battery life is more than offset by the screen, webcam and extra processing power.

Plus the battery life is enough that I don't need to bring a charger to the rooms for cdonsulting, can just keep my charger in my office.

I guess in many ways the pro-artist workflow is the sexy one that makes for great video clips and creates the desirability factor for people who do those things as a hobby (mine certainly gets used in photo post processing as well as a hobby), but lots of other professions will be using these laptops to make money.

yes, so true, I am on the go too, between many hospitals, tele medicine calls, etc. SO nice to finally have something this nice and BIG with an amazing battery! And I noticed 3 different people out and about today with the 16" also, they didn't seem to be remotely bothered by its size...